In June we got the exciting news that Tali Whiteridge, Greer Castle, and Milly McLaren were finalists in the Youthtown Songwriting Competition. All three Year 11 students were entering the competition for the first time, with Greer and Milly submitting their song Fragments and Tali offering her title Look For the Light.

Each of the finalists won the opportunity to record their songs in a professional recording studio, something that was another first for all three WGC students. They chose to go to The Armoury, a bespoke production and recording studio in the CBD. Milly and Greer, who have been working as a team since the start of this year, recorded Greer singing lead while Milly sang back up and played the piano. Reilly Blennerhassett from Wellington College came in to play cello and Greer says she appreciated learning more about the production industry and what it takes to make a successful piece of music.

Tali played piano, drums, and tambourine in addition to singing the melody and harmonies. Clara Kennedy, a friend and fellow Year 11 student at WGC, came in to play cello to round out the song. Tali’s favourite part of the experience was getting to sing in the vocal booth because she could hear her vision coming to life. She says Youthtown was a fantastic experience and she learned a lot.

Fragments and Look For the Light will both feature on the Play It Strange Youthtown 2023 Album on Spotify, so keep your eyes (and ears) open and give them a listen when the album is released!